The Affordable Care Act Benefits the LGBTQ Community

      HOW THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT BENEFITS THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY

 During his two terms in office President Obama has supported the LGBTQ community in a myriad of ways including: the Patient Visitation Act, repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell in the military, and supporting the repeal of DOMA.  The Affordable Care Act (ACA) click here which debuts January 1, 2014, provides several benefits and protections to the LGBTQ community.  Not only will the ACA benefits promote equality but hopefully it will encourage LGBTQ individuals to seek preventive medical services. Here are a few examples of how the ACA will provide equal access to healthcare for LGBTQ individuals:

1. Health insurance plans purchased through the marketplace cannot discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity
2. An LGBTQ consumer cannot be charged a higher premium due to his/her sexual orientation
3. An LGBTQ consumer cannot be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition such as HIV/AIDS or a mental health diagnosis
4. Legally married same-sex couples are treated equally as heterosexual couples for financial assistance regardless of where they reside (living in a non-recognition state such as Florida is not an impediment)
5. There are no financial lifetime limits on coverage for a chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS.
   
   
   

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